Return to Article: Contractors face prospect of losing immunity in Iraq

By Robert Brodsky rbrodsky@govexec.com August 25, 2008
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    Iraq is entitled, as is any other country to have jurisdiction over persons within its boundaries. The transformational change to contract out as much of the war effort as led to this conundrum for the contractors. The government has traditionally relied on Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs) which generally do not protect contractors. If the Army had sufficient manning to fight the war right in the first place, then maybe this wouldn't be a problem, but appropriate authorities decided the manning was sufficient for the task. . .

    John Smith Posted September 1, 2008 5:13 PM
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    State should fall under this provision as well

    dan m ketter Posted August 26, 2008 12:56 PM
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    1. Comparing citizens providing service for pay to military personnel who are in country on far from a volunteer basis? 2. While in Iraq, in early 2003, as a contractor trying to get the oil flowing, security was provided by the US military. By mid to late 2003 the military escorts were reduced and finally withdrawn do to lack of sufficient troops and/or more pressing priorities. Some mornings they were there, some mornings not. Hard to plan and schedule how to get the oil flowing out of Iraq under such conditions.

    Eddie Edwards Posted August 26, 2008 10:45 AM
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    I certainly would not take a chance to be subjected to the Iraqi antiquated legal system! Our Government is certainly letting contractors down....

    CS on the West Coast Posted August 26, 2008 10:18 AM
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    Why are we paying a premium for 25-30,000 "soldiers" and another 160,000 in support services? These civilians cost three or four times what we pay for their military counterparts. Their salaries are at least double, then there's the vig for the corporations. Add the "open season" law that lets them act like barbarians, and it's no wonder our soldiers are demoralized. They are treated like second class soldiers, less than. Dump these high price mercenaries and pay our soldiers a decent wage and give them decent equipment.

    Anthony Weishar Posted August 26, 2008 7:00 AM

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Contractors face prospect of losing immunity in Iraq
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